WAXING moons. Waning moons. Full moons. New moons. The phases of the moon…and that doesn’t even include the rest of the phases like gibbous and quarters.
THE MOON has been (and still is) an important part of religious ceremonies and practices around the world. Many cultures once used lunar calendars. Some still do – the Chinese still use it for many purposes (ever wonder why Chinese New Year always falls on different days? Well there’s your answer), and then there’s the Islamic lunar based calendar, the Hijri, which is also still in use.
THE MOON is important in folklore, myth and legend. She determines the ebb and flow of the tides which sustains life. She is female. She is magical. She is mysterious. She is powerful.
So what do the phases of the moon and womanhood have to do with each other?
11/52
Theme: Patterns
Title: Waxing. Waning.
WITH such magical and mystical properties, is it any wonder that the moon is tied to women and feminine power? …an object that has no light of its own and yet it shines bright and clear in the night sky…women and our ability to create and carry human life within us.
Tell me that’s not mystical, magical and powerful…
and that’s not all…
THERE ARE roughly 28 days in a woman’s menstrual cycle. There are 29 (and some change: 29.53059 to be exact) days in a lunar cycle. There are accounts of spikes in birth rates during full moons. In Paganism the life cycle of women are symbolized by the image of a full moon flanked on either side by outward facing crescent moons which represent The Triple Goddess and the three stages of womanhood: the maiden, mother and crone.
THERE IS A CLEAR AND DEFINITE PATTERN…
…NOT only in moon phases and menstrual cycles (my apologies to all the squeamish men out there who had to read those words twice in one post…I’m sorry…but I’m totally not. *grin*) but with the moon and women across cultures and religions. And in an odd and completely unplanned twist, the moon is full as I sit here and write these words.
SO THIS is my contribution to the theme. This is my representation of women, the moon and the entanglement of our combined magic and divinity. This is my pattern.
I COULD go on about my personal connection to the piece, but now why would I go and do that? Hmmm? That would take all the fun out of it. But, as always, you are free to interpret my work as you choose.
MAY YOU FIND THE MAGICAL PATTERNS IN YOUR LIFE THIS WEEK.
Mystical Kisses & Lunar Chaos,
Alli Woods Frederick
image :: waxing. waning. © 2014 alli woods frederick. all rights reserved. what does this mean? you can’t use it, copy it, post it or do anything else with it without my express written consent…that includes using it on blogs, websites, etc. If you want to use it, just ask…if I’m picking up what you’re putting down then odds are I’ll say yes. So don’t be a butthead and steal the work I pour my heart, soul and countless hours into. Cool? Cool. ::
